Gloves Not Gunz to put on community day in Croydon

A community and youth-led organisation which aims to divert young people away from engaging in crime and violence through the power of sport will celebrate its success at a community day

Gloves Not Gunz and Urban Yogi’s UK, which provides support to young people and communities through yoga, will hold a community day from 3pm on Friday, August 19 at Norbury Pavilion, Croydon.

The event will see staff, volunteers, ambassadors and the community come together to celebrate five years of the organisations, and preventing crime through boxing and yoga.

The event is free to attend and will include boxing, yoga, jiu jitsu, football sessions, workshops, activities, a barbecue and refreshments.

Gloves Not Gunz, which was set up by dads Adam Ballard and Ben Eckett, has had a profound impact on young people and communities over the past five years, having worked with more than 3,000 young people across the Borough of London, delivering more than 350 of its programmes.

These range from mentoring, community sports sessions, school workshops, community outreach programmes and community interventions, which include setting up sport and education sessions in crime hotspots.

The organisation has received a Metropolitan Police Service Commendation and an invitation to consult Parliament in the All-Parliamentary Group as a result of its positive work within the community.

Gloves Not Gunz and Urban Yogi’s director Adam Ballard said: “It has been incredible to see the success of both organisations over the past five years, which is why we wanted to celebrate this milestone by giving back to the community, our staff, volunteers, partners and stakeholders.

“We hope to see as many people as possible attend the event, which is completely free, and get involved with the variety of sessions and activities which we are hosting.

“We hope to use this day to further raise awareness of the work we do, and to inspire more young people to get involved with our programmes and use the power of sport to positively impact their lives.”

Urban Yogis’ UK, also set up by Adam Ballard and Ben Eckett, provides support to young people and communities by using yoga, education and relationships to create positive futures.

The aim of the organisation is to make yoga accessible to all so that it breaks down social, economic, gender and cultural barriers from practicing.

Urban Yogi’s has delivered yoga in communities, schools and prisons across London, as well as on residential trips.

Gloves Not Gunz and Urban Yogi’s UK rely solely on funding to deliver its programmes, and has developed partnerships with Nike, Lulu Lemon, Chelsea Football Club, Crystal Palace Football Club’s foundation ‘Palace for Life’ and Sport England.

Nike athlete and Iron Man triathlete John McAvoy is also an ambassador for the organisation.

Pictured top: Gloves Not Gunz participants (Picture: Gloves Not Gunz)